Louis BrailleLouis Braille was born in Coupvray, France, on January 4, 1809. His mother and father were Monique and Simon René Braille. Louis was the youngest of four other children. Their names were Louis-Simon, Catherine-Josephine and Marie-Céline. Louis' father, Simon René, was a saddler. He made saddles and harnesses for horses. His father had also been a saddler. The Louis family led a simple and ordinary life. They owned their own farm and seven and a half acres of land. Father Louis' laboratory was also on this earth. The Brailles didn't have much money, but there was always plenty of food on the table. The family lived on a street called Chemin des Buttes. It would later be renamed Rue Louis Braille. Louis often visited his father in the workshop. For Louis the shop was an exciting adventure every time he entered it. The workshop smelled of leather and bridles, reins and straps hung everywhere. In the center of the laboratory was a bench with many sharp tools. Not a very safe place for a three year old. The tragedy is not known in detail. Nor is the exact date known. But that happened in 1812. The three-year-old investigating boy climbed onto the workbench in the workshop while his father wasn't looking. Louis took an awl or a knife. Shortly after, people nearby heard screams coming from the laboratory. Louis was crying and blood was running down his face. His hands had slipped off the sharp instrument and the awl had cut his eye. Louis' mom and dad did everything they could for the defenseless child. They cleaned the bleeding eye and covered it with bandages. When the bleeding stopped, they took Louis to the doctor. In those days, doctors didn't know much about how to treat infections. Helplessly, the doctor and the Braille family watched as Louis' infection spread to his other eye. Everything became confusing to Louis. He began to bump into things; he dropped things and started tripping constantly. His family took him to an ophthalmologist in a nearby town, but the doctor could not help the poor child. Louis' vision was getting worse every day. He eventually completely lost the sight in both eyes... halfway through his teaching paper... for two years before he could return to work. Only about a week after losing his health did he begin to bleed. So the doctor sent him home once again. Many years passed before he returned to school. By the time he got back on his feet there was a new school. Many famous people have visited the school. The new buildings were ready in 1843. The students moved into the new school with all their belongings. The new building was clean and airy. By 1850 Louis was feeling very ill again. The school director let Louis stay at the school and teach some piano lessons. In December 1851, Braille knew he was dying, so Louis put his will in order. He left many of his things to his friend Coltat, who gave them to students who loved Braille. Louis gave the rest of his things to his mother. Louis Braille died on January 6, 1852. He had just turned forty-three. Louis was buried in Coupvray. His last journey home was the same route he had taken to Paris with his father. In 1854, France adopted the Braille system as the official system for the blind.